The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud (The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz, Book One) (Volume 1)

My daughter loves this book! It really started her love to read!

The Ark, the Reed, & the Fire Cloud is a book written by Jenny L. Cote. She takes stories from the Bible and brings imaginations alive with the adventure of the main characters and their mates: two dogs, Max and Kate, and two cats, Liz and Al. They all embark separately on a journey of Faith, following the fire cloud after they all hear the Maker calling to them. They soon meet each other and together forge a friendship that is inseparable. They go through many countries and past many waters following the cloud, but also discover that they are not the only ones. Liz, the expertise on many things, notices that two animals from all over the world have been called, and struggles with her faith of the impossible. Meanwhile Max has a fear of water, and when they reach their final destination he discovers it is an Ark. After all of the animals are finally loaded, flood waters rise and the rains come down for forty days and forty nights. During the time of waiting to reach dry ground, Max has been declared a hero, and when things get out of hand Liz suspects one of Max’s friends, and in discovering this she could end her friendship with Max. Will Max be able to understand the importance of what is happening, or will he ignore the evidence?In the end the main characters learn to not be prideful and to trust God, not trying to logically solve everything. Max learned to conquer his fears and not be prideful, like the waters from the flood, and to give the glory to God instead of himself, while God showed Liz how all things are possible with Him. One of my favorite Bible stories is Noah's Ark, so I was excited to read this book. Jenny L Cote writes in a very unique setting, many of which are not used a lot. she brings her characters alive and the details make you feel as if you are a part of the story. For example, in one scene she shows how when the animals step into their stalls, the animals’ natural habitat appears with everything they need, from waterfalls and rain forests, to deserts and ice. To say that I enjoyed this book is an understatement. I loved this book! I would definitely suggest this book for all ages, and readers who love the Bible, animals, and imagination.

We were introduced by a fellow homeschool friend. It pairs perfectly with The Story of the World and Christian Studies. We have read it once but we are reading through the whole series as our read aloud at night before bed. Reading these books along with history and Christian studies helps put that picture in your mind that helps you remember His story. We gift these for birthdays. Last year our nieces received the entire set for Christmas. When I ask the girls what their favorite part is they say Max and Liz. The whole story is my favorite part especially the research section in the back. No home library is complete without these books. 🥰 Thank you for sharing your God given gift with us all.

The first of many of the epic adventures of Max and Liz. It's full of humor, and intrigue. A good 2nd grade reader would be both challenged and encouraged to read it. Younger ages can easily follow the dialogue if read aloud to them.

My 9 year old son loves it so much. It’s heartwarming and has lots of great adventures, characters, morals and lessons. Wit, humor, action, heartache, it’s all here. I always love to read 2 chapters a day, it’s addicting.

EXCELLENT story that follows the biblical telling of Noah and the Ark from an animals perspective. Enjoyable read for people of all ages, and follows the biblical account, as closely as possible.

The story imagines how the animals all came to the ark, how the voyage went and a new world at the end. The flamingo leading aerobics on the ark to keep the animals fit should have you laughing out loud. This a book written for younger readers, but the bookstores tell me adults are reading this as well (phew). Like C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, these are perfect for reading out loud to children or grandchildren.

I picked up this book not knowing what to expect. I am not in middle school and I have heard the story of the ark too many times to count. What I did know is that Jenny Cote is a person with a passion for history and a wonderful outlook on life. What I found was nothing short of amazing. How do you take a story told a million times to children and make it new? How do you hold a reader's interest through what could be a simple Bible school lesson? Ask Jenny...she got it done.The story, as told through the eyes of Max and Liz, was so unique and thought provoking that I forgot I was reading. The playfulness of the characters and how they jump off the page is wonderful for a reader. I truly became invested in them as real animals in my life. I felt what they felt. One of the most amazing parts of the book (and I won't ruin it for new readers) has to do with the animals boarding the ark. Wow is all I can say. I never thought about it from Jenny's perspective. Very entertaining.I now look forward to Jenny's books with eagerness. I am sold 100%. As with all books, you either love them or not. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to readers of all ages. For me, it goes on my FaceBook page as a favorite book for all time.

I bought this book for my 12 year old, since it is listed as being appropriate for grades 5-11 (I think they must mean AGES 5-11), and since it got great reviews. I especially thought it would work for my avid reader, since it's over 400 pages long. Unfortunately, it just hasn't grabbed her interest. I think she feels the animal characters and the gentle and somewhat slow nature of the story would be more appropriate to a younger audience, and honestly, having read the first couple of chapters with her, I can see her point. Having said that, perhaps we should push on, and it may gain momentum. As it is, it's a lovely read, and I would recommend it more for the younger set. It might be too difficult/long for them to read on their own (especially with that delightful Scottish brogue!), but I think it would make an absolutely delightful, gentle read aloud for kids from 5-10 years old, particularly those who love animal stories.

Love this series. My kids can't wait for story time each evening!

Whilst based on the story of Noah, this book takes you 'behind' the scenes putting flesh on the skeleton of what we know happened in the Bible. Very well done and kept my daughter (aged 10) captivated despite the size / length of the book!